Chapter Text
Vegeta stared, completely mesmerised, into the blue eyes of his newborn daughter, who was staring equally entranced back at him; one of her tiny fists clutching his finger as though she never wanted to let him go. Bulla Eschalotte Briefs; the first Saiyan princess to be born in generations; and she was just as beautiful as her mother. His heart thumped as it crossed his mind that, if things had played out differently, then this moment may never have happened. Even though he’d only been holding Bulla a few minutes so that Bulma could rest, he already couldn’t imagine a world where she didn’t exist.
It had been two years since Broly’s triumph over Frieza, and from the moment Vegeta had touched down on his home planet with Bulma and Trunks by his side, things had become rather hectic. Whilst his infant son had settled into life on Vegetasei relatively easily, Vegeta knew that Bulma had found it more of a challenge than she’d liked to let on. Always one to give her all in everything she did, and being just as stubborn as he was himself, Bulma had almost burnt herself out trying to balance rebuilding then further expanding Capsule Corp. with her new life as queen; all whilst trying to gain acceptance amongst the Saiyan people, build her reputation as a competent ruler in her own right, and remain a hands-on mother to Trunks.
Fortunately, and much to Vegeta’s relief, she’d eventually recognised that something had to give and Tarble had been only too happy to help her out as her Deputy CEO on Earth; overseeing the majority of the work there whilst Bulma dialled in remotely to address any problems he couldn’t handle.
Vegeta had also found it strange initially, stepping into his father’s shoes so abruptly and ruling as king in every way except in title which he hadn’t accepted until he had made sure that his father was truly content remaining in A’halovoka. It had not been difficult establishing himself as king amongst the Saiyans; his power level alone had seen to that and even Paragus had accepted him with minimal grumbling. What had been his greatest challenge was trying to overturn the reputation of the Saiyans throughout the galaxy; changing perspectives and encouraging co-operation between worlds through diplomacy rather than violence to create a stronger universe where all beings could thrive. It hadn’t always worked and a few battles had had to be fought. But…he’d made progress.
When Earth’s dragon balls had reactivated once again, Broly was returned to life and to Vegetasei, and Vegeta was finally able to speak to him about the choices he’d made that fateful day. Although he hadn’t wanted to admit it, Vegeta had been holding on to a kernel of guilt that as the Prince of All Saiyans, he should have been the one to take responsibility for destroying Frieza once and for all. Why had Broly prevented him from doing so and chosen to sacrifice himself instead? The answer had been simple.
“You had a family, a kingdom to inherit,” the large Saiyan had shrugged with a smile. “I felt that you were needed in ways that I wasn’t…but by killing Frieza, I could make my own contribution to bringing peace to the universe and so, I guess I was happy with that, and I don’t have any regrets.”
A weight had lifted off Vegeta’s shoulders then, and life had become easier; Broly proving to be the perfect bodyguard for Bulma and Trunks for the times when Vegeta was off-planet, and the perfect deterrent if beings on other planets thought about stirring up trouble.
When Bulma had fallen pregnant for the second time, Vegeta had scaled things back as much as he could; even declining an off-world training mission with Kakarot so that he could be with his mate in the lead up to the birth in ways he wasn’t able to be with Trunks. Apparently it had been harder for her this time, and so when she’d asked to return to Earth for the final few weeks of her pregnancy he’d accompanied her without complaint. The birth itself had been tricky, yet Bulma had handled it with the same spirit and resilience that she showed in all other aspects of her life. And he couldn’t be prouder of her.
A sudden ‘click’ interrupted his introspection.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it; you both looked so adorable,” Bulma said, grinning at Vegeta’s blush as she put her phone away, the photo she’d taken definitely one she’d print for her workstation. Times like this, where she and Vegeta could be alone and undisturbed, had been rare lately, and she’d been enjoying observing every second of the wholesome scene in front of her. “Now, are you ready for everyone to meet our princess?”
When Vegeta just rolled his eyes, she added “I know that you hate parties but there’ll be plenty of food to keep you occupied - my mother has, after all, been planning this for weeks - and I’m sure that Trunks will be excited to meet his little sister…”
“Fine,” he muttered, although not as grumpily as he could have done. Bulla yawned then and snuggled in closer to Vegeta’s chest and he suddenly felt a fierce rush of protectiveness as his heart melted. “But nobody holds her without my,” he broke off as Bulma looked at him askance, “okay, our…” he said begrudgingly, “permission, is that clear?”
“Perfectly clear, your majesty,” Bulma giggled again as Vegeta’s blush deepened. “Now help me up out of this bed.”
“It’s okay Vegeta dear, I’ll help Bulma,” Panchy said, knocking once on the bedroom door then poking her head around it before bustling in; immediately going all starry eyed at the sight of her gorgeous granddaughter. “You keep a hold of that precious bundle of yours, okay? We’ll be out in a second!”
When Vegeta walked out onto the large lower balcony of Capsule Corp. with his princess in his arms and Bulma by his side, he had to admit that Panchy Briefs had once again outdone herself. Long tables covered in white tablecloths groaned under the weight of the delectable-looking dishes she had prepared which, he was keen to note, included all of his favourite things. There was also a well-stocked bar, and an array of flowers and balloons that had been tastefully arranged to add colour and flair without being too overwhelming.
And then…there were the guests. As he’d been sat in his and Bulma’s bedroom, Vegeta had been able to hear the swell of chatter and laughter drifting in through their own balcony window as everyone had arrived, and he’d already been looking forward to them all leaving so it could just be the four of them again. His little family.
Although…he thought as he looked around, it would actually be the six of them as Nappa and Panchy did live at Capsule Corp. too and undertook very important grandparent duties that enabled he and Bulma to enjoy much-needed child-free time together. He blinked. Okay, eight of them; as Tarble and Gure also had a place on the compound nowadays and given the help his brother had given Bulma, he couldn’t really begrudge him time with his new niece. He blinked again. And he supposed that Broly had saved the universe, Raditz had helped to kill Zarbon and save Trunks from Dodoria, and Kakarot had obtained Super Saiyan first, thus showing it was possible. Even the scar-faced weakling and the bald warrior had played their parts…ah fuck it.
Vegeta smiled and shook his head, then turned to his woman, his queen, his life mate who was staring at him curiously, and pulled her close to him; kissing her full on the lips against a background of whistles and cheers from everyone watching. When they broke apart, it was Bulma who was blushing. But for once, Vegeta wasn’t embarrassed. If there was anything that the last few years had taught him, it was that life was too short to not appreciate everything that he’d had the fortune to be given, for it could all be taken away in the blink of an eye. And, despite their many foibles and propensity to irritate him, he wouldn’t change anything about the ragtag bunch who had navigated this bizarre journey from space to Earth and back again with him. For all intents and purposes, they were all family.
But…he didn’t need to tell them that. As he looked around at all their ridiculous smiling faces, he had the sneaking suspicion that they already knew.
THE END